UK MPs urge Starmer to block Israeli president visit over Gaza genocide

More than 60 British lawmakers have called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reconsider hosting Israeli President Isaac Herzog, warning that the UK risks violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention.

In a letter to ministers, they pointed out that the International Court of Justice has ruled there is a “plausible risk of genocide” in Israel’s assault on Gaza and argued that Herzog has openly endorsed collective punishment. They cited his remarks claiming there are “no innocent civilians in Gaza” and that “it is an entire nation that is responsible.”

The MPs pressed the government to clarify the legal implications of his planned trip, asking: “Will any visa application made by the Israeli president to visit the UK this week be rejected or will he be subject to police investigation if he does arrive?”

Their intervention follows calls from pro-Palestinian groups urging Starmer to issue an arrest warrant against Herzog. The Israeli president is expected to begin a three-day visit to the UK on Wednesday.